Method and system for messaging across cellular networks and a public data network

ABSTRACT

A method, system and computer program product for instant message communication in a wireless and non-wireless environment. A message is sent from a mobile unit device over a wireless communication network. The message includes a destination address, information associated with the mobile unit device&#39;s user, message content and message address. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device&#39;s user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message function, the associated instant message function is executed at the instant message system using the information contained in the message content, if required as determined by the associated instant message function. If, according to information previously stored for the mobile unit device&#39;s user at the instant message system, the destination address is associated with an instant message name, an instant message is created according to the message content and is sent to the user with the associated instant message name. For instant messages sent or received by a mobile unit device with known buddies, the instant message is optimized by tagging the instant message with a routing phone number that is unique to the mobile unit device and buddy combination, whose identity is stored both in the mobile unit device address book and in the instant message routing server.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/519,525, filed Mar. 6, 2000, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to non-voice messagetransmission and reception across cellular and public or private datanetworks and, more particularly to a method and system for messagedelivery between a cellular and public data network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Around the world, tens of millions of users are using softwarethat enables them to be alerted when friends, family and colleagues goon-line for the real-time exchange of messages. A commonly used term forthis type of real-time exchange is instant messaging. Instant messagingis cheap, with most vendors giving away the product and others chargingnominal licensing fees. It is also powerful, allowing users tocommunicate in one window while, for example, looking over a document inanother. Team members in different locations can set up impromptuconversations, bouncing ideas and strategies off each other. It providesquick and dirty collaboration, with little to buy and not much to setup.

[0004] The best known instant messaging system is America Online'sInstant Messenger (AIM) that was originally designed as a feature forAOL's pay service. AIM is software that anyone with an Internetconnection can download, whether they are an AOL member or not. Afterregistering a screen name, the user can maintain lists of AOL membersand other AIM users, and be alerted whenever one of those in the listcomes on-line. When one of those in the list comes on-line, thecorresponding screen name appears in an AIM interface window on thescreen. By clicking on the name appearing in the AIM interface window,the user may then send an instant message and initiate a conversationsession. Users can also sort their buddies into groups. For example, alawyer could create separate groups for partners, associates, in-housecounsel and adversaries.

[0005] Other vendors, such as Yahoo, PeopleLink, Mirabilis (ICQ) andActiverse, offer similar instant message service.

[0006] Despite the apparent success of instant messaging systems, it isstill limited to a user accessing the service through computer-basedsystems hardwired to the Internet. There exists a need to provide thebenefits of instant messaging, immediate knowledge of another onlinestatus and real-time text communication, outside of hardwired Internetsystems. Specifically in a wireless environment, it would beadvantageous to know if a subscriber has turned on their cellular phone.It would also be advantageous to communicate via text messages, whichare far less costly than voice communications because text message datauses up much less bandwidth or resources than voice data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a method, system and computerprogram product for instant message communication in a wireless andnon-wireless environment. First, a message is sent from a mobile unitdevice over a wireless communication network. The message includes adestination address, information associated with the mobile unitdevice's user, message content and message address. If, according toinformation previously stored for the mobile unit device's user at theinstant message system, the destination address is associated with aninstant message function, the associated instant message function isexecuted at the instant message system using the information containedin the message content, if required as determined by the associatedinstant message function. If, according to information previously storedfor the mobile unit device's user at the instant message system, thedestination address is associated with an instant message name, aninstant message is created according to the message content and is sentto the user with the associated instant message name.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, ifsaid instant message function is a sign on function, an instant messagesession is initiated according to prestored user profile information andthe message content. The message content is an instant message nameassociated with the user of the mobile unit device and a predefinedpassword.

[0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention,the status information of users associated with instant message namesstored for the user of the mobile unit device in the instant messagesystem are determined and sent to the mobile unit device of the user.The user's mobile unit device then presents the sent status information.

[0010] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention,if said instant message function is a sign off function, the instantmessage session associated with the mobile unit device's user is ended.

[0011] In accordance with still yet another aspect of the presentinvention, if said instant message function is a delete instant messagename function, the stored instant message is deleted according to themessage content. The message content is at least one instant messagename.

[0012] In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention,if said instant message function is an update instant message namefunction, the status information of users associated with instantmessage names stored for the user of the mobile unit device in theinstant message system are determined and sent to the mobile unit deviceof the user. The user's mobile unit device then presents the sent statusinformation.

[0013] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, aninstant message name is associated with a destination address at theinstant message system. This association is saved in memory in theinstant message system according to a registered user of a mobile unitdevice. An executable address loading program is generated according tothe saved association and then sent through the wireless environment tothe mobile unit device of the registered user. At the mobile unit devicethe executable address loading program is executed, thereby entering theassociated instant message name and address into memory.

[0014] In accordance with still further aspects of the presentinvention, an instant message is processed according to sender userinformation stored at the instant message system if it is intended for arecipient user signed on through a mobile unit device and then sentthrough the wireless environment to the mobile unit device of therecipient user. The user's mobile unit device presents the sent instantmessage and the instant message name of the creator of the instantmessage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the components of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process of entering instant messagenames formed in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIGS. 3-7 are flow diagrams of the formed in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0019]FIGS. 8 and 9 are screen shots of an example user interface forremotely entering instant message names; and

[0020]FIGS. 10-14 are diagrams of example user interfaces implemented ona cellular phone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention is an integrated wireless and traditionalinstant messaging system and method. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 20includes a instant message routing system 22 that includes a routingserver 24 and a database 26 for storing a profile for each subscribinguser. Each user profile includes a list of instant message names witheach name assigned to an address (phone number). The routing server 24is in communication with one or more short message service centers(SMSC) 32 that is in communication with one or more wireless mobilecarriers 34. Each wireless mobile carrier 34 supports subscribing usersoperating mobile unit devices 36, such as a hand-held cell phone, a bagphone or a vehicle phone. The routing server 24 is also coupled to apublic or private data network 30, such as the Internet. Also coupled tothe public or private data network 30 are an instant message server 40and one or more traditional systems 42, such as a personal computer.

[0022] The communication link between the routing server 24 and theshort message service center 32 is also either a public or private datanetwork, such as the Internet or a private dedicated circuit. A protocolresiding over the communication link defines the structure ofinformation communicated between the routing server 24 and the shortmessage service center 32. Preferably this link is the Internet withTCP/IP operating thereon. Operating over TCP/IP is another protocol thatallows the routing server 24 to identify the effectiveness ofcommunications to the mobile unit devices 36. An example protocolresiding over TCP/IP is the short message peer-to-peer (SMPP) protocolor configuration or data management procedure (CDMP) protocol. Theseprotocols provide visibility of the status of message deliveries to themobile unit devices 36.

[0023] A data bearer protocol defines the structure of data messagescommunicated between the mobile unit devices 36, the mobile carrier 34and the short message service center 32. The global system for mobilecommunications (GSM) environment, used as the primary digital wirelessstandard throughout Europe, uses the short message service (SMS)standard data bearer protocol for formatting data for delivery betweenthe mobile unit devices 36, wireless mobile carrier 34 and the shortmessage service center 32. The SMS protocol describes the format ofdata, called SMS packages, sent or received through the system. Inaccordance with the present invention, the format of data messages, i.e.SMS package, sent from the mobile unit device includes the phone numberof the mobile unit device, a destination phone number, the short messageservice center address (preferably a number), a validity period valueand message content. The validity period value informs the short messageservice center 32 how long to attempt delivery. Each data message (SMSpackage) is preferably a single block of information. As can be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art of wirelesscommunication, the SMS package may be divided up into multiple packetsof data and sent at various intervals.

[0024]FIG. 2 illustrates a method for remotely creating an instantmessage name list for a cellular phone. First, a user, who is asubscriber to a wireless instant message service, uses a traditionalsystem 42 coupled to the network 30 to sign on to a web site supportedor generated by the routing server 24. A user becomes a subscriber bycompleting a registration process that can be performed during onlinecommunication with either servers 24 or 40 or through other means, suchas e-mail, conventional mail or telephonic communication. Once the userhas entered into the routing server's web site by preferably completinga sign-on or logon with password verification, the user begins instantmessage name list (i.e. buddy list) creation for the user's mobile unitdevice 36. If the cell phone user knows the instant message name thatcorresponds to a desired recipient, decision block 50, the user entersthe instant message name. The entered instant message name is then savedin a look-up table at a location in the database 26, block 52. Thelook-up table is stored in relation to predefined user profileinformation. Each instant message name stored in the look-up table has acorresponding destination address, preferably a phone number. Forexample, the routing server 24 receives from the mobile carrier 24 or atelecommunications controlling agency a set of n telephone numbers. Inthe database 26 for each user profile, the server 24 associates a numberfrom the set of n telephone numbers to an entered instant message name.As a result, the routing system 22 reuses a limited number of phonenumbers.

[0025] If the cell phone user does not know the instant message namethat corresponds to a desired recipient, decision block 50, the userenters information that corresponds to the desired recipient, such as ane-mail address, block 54. The server hosting the name list creationwebsite then searches for an instant message name that corresponds tothe entered information, block 60. If, at decision block 60, there is acorresponding instant message name, the corresponding instant messagename is entered and saved, see block 52 above. If, at decision block 60,the search fails to find a corresponding instant message name, no nameentry occurs and the user is given the opportunity to enter more instantmessage names, decision block 62. The user is also given the opportunityto enter more instant message names, decision block, after block 52.

[0026] If, at decision block 62, the user does not wish to enter moreinstant message names, a program is generated by the server hosting thename list creation website for programming the created instant messagename list into the user's mobile unit device 36, block 68. Next, atblock 70, the generated program is sent through the short messageservice center 32, where it is formatted according to the properprotocol, and then through the mobile carrier 34 to the user's mobileunit device 36. At block 72, the user's mobile unit device 36 receivesand executes the program, thus saving the instant message name list inan address book stored in memory. In other words, the mobile unit deviceis programmed in an over-the-air-programming manner to include theinstant message name list within the mobile unit device's instantmessage listings (i.e. address book).

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, if the mobile carrier 34 andcorresponding mobile unit devices 36 do not include the hardware orsoftware components for receiving and executing the program for loadingthe saved instant message name list, the loading of instant messagenames and corresponding phone numbers that are stored at the routingsystem 22 are manually entered into the address book of the user'smobile unit device 36.

[0028]FIGS. 3-7 illustrate the process of instant message functiondelivery, message delivery and instant message reception using a mobileunit device across a wireless and non-wireless network. First, at block80 of FIG. 3, through a user interface on the mobile unit device 36 theuser selects an instant message function or an instant message name(s)from the mobile unit device's address book based on the latest storedinstant message name status information received from the instantmessage name routing server 24 as a result of a sign on, a status updateor the last communication with the instant message routing server 24(see FIG. 5 below). Then, the user enters message content information(either function related information or a message accordingly).Alternatively, the message content information is entered first, then aninstant message function or an instant message name is selected.Examples of user interaction with the instant message routing server 24and with the mobile unit device 36 are illustrated by example in FIGS.8-14 below. Next, at block 82, the user's selection and enteredinformation is formatted according to the predefined protocol and sentto the mobile carrier 34. At block 84, the mobile carrier 34 receivesthe formatted data and sends the formatted data to a short messageservice center 32 according to the included short message service centeraddress information. At decision block 86, the short message servicecenter 32 determines if the received formatted data includes addressdata assigned to an instant message routing server 24, i.e. an addressfield or phone number. If the formatted data does not include addressdata assigned to an instant message routing server 24, the formatteddata is probably an email message and is processed according to knowncellular Short Message processing methods, block 88. Also commonlyreferred to as email for cell phones. If the formatted data does includeaddress data assigned to an instant message routing server 24, theformatted data is reformatted according to the predefined protocol usedto communicate information between the short message service center 32and the instant message routing server 24 and then sent to the instantmessage routing server 24, block 90.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, at decision block 102, the instant messagerouting server 24 compares the destination number included in thereformatted data to the look-up table in the user profile location inthe database 26 that corresponds to the mobile unit device phone numberincluded with the received data. The comparison determines what actioncorresponds to the destination number. If the action corresponding tothe destination number is an instant message function, the instantmessage routing server 24 executes the instant message function, seeFIG. 5 below. If the action corresponding to the destination number isan instant message name, the instant message routing server 24repackages the formatted data as an instant message and sends it to therecipient associated with instant message name, block 104. Before orafter the repackaging occurs, the instant message routing server 24determines if the recipient that corresponds to the instant message nameis signed on to the instant message system, i.e. the instant messageserver 40, decision block 106. If the recipient is not signed on, theinstant message routing server 24 sends a failure message to the user'smobile unit device 36 through the short message service center 32 andmobile carrier 34, block 108. In a first alternate embodiment, if therecipient is not signed on, the instant message server 40 stores theinstant message until the instant message server 40 detects that therecipient has signed on through an instant message routing server 24 ora traditional system 42. In a second alternate embodiment, if therecipient is not signed on, the instant message is forwarded to apreviously designated e-mail address.

[0030] If the recipient is signed on, the instant message routing server24 sends the instant message to the recipient through the instantmessage server 40 over the network 30, block 110. The process of sendingan instant message to a mobile unit device recipient is described inmore detail below in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0031]FIG. 5 illustrates the process of processing data received from amobile unit device 36 that corresponds to an instant message function,from B of FIG. 4. First, at decision block 120, if the function is asign on function, the instant message routing server 24 establishes anew instant message session with the instant message server 40 for theuser associated with the mobile unit device 36 that send the sign onfunction. The establishment of a new instant message session is done inaccordance with the proper password(s) that was included in the messagecontent sent from the mobile unit device 36, block 122. The instantmessage routing server 24 checks with instant message server 40 todetermine which of the names in the instant message name list associatedwith the user and stored in the database 26 are available or signed on,block 124. This determination of who is available is then sent to themobile unit device 36 through the short message service center 32 andthe mobile carrier 34, block 126. Once the mobile unit device 36receives the availability determination, the device 36 process it andmakes the availability information available for use by the user, block127.

[0032] If the instant message function is not the sign on (sign on)function and if no instant message session is presently active for theuser at the instant message routing server 24, decision block 128, amessage informing the user that sign on must occur first is presented,block 130. If an instant message session exists and the function is asign off (sign off) function, decision block 132, the instant messagerouting server 24 ends the corresponding instant message session, block134. However, if the function is not the sign off function, the functionis processed according to instant message rules, block 136. Thefollowing other functions are available: delete; add; and check status.With regards to the delete function, the instant message routing server24 deletes each instant message name included in the message contentfrom the instant message name list stored with the user's profileinformation in the database 26. With regards to the add function, theinstant message routing server 24 adds each instant message nameincluded in the message content to the instant message name list storedwith the user's profile information in the database 26. During instantmessage session the instant message routing server 24, like an instantmessage session on a traditional system 42, continually receivesconnection status information of each instant message name in theinstant message name list. With regards to the check status function,the instant message routing server 24 sends the latest receivedconnection status information to the mobile user device 36 through theshort message service center 32 and the mobile carrier 34.

[0033]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the process of sending an instant messageto a recipient signed on to the instant message service from a mobileunit device 36 through an instant message routing server 24. The processof FIG. 6 occurs when an instant message is sent from another user of amobile unit device 36, C from FIG. 4, or from a user of a traditionalsystem 42, such as a desktop or laptop computer. First, at block 140,the instant message server 40 receives an instant message and, at block142, sends it to the signed on recipient identified in the instantmessage. If, at decision block 144, the recipient is a normal instantmessage recipient, i.e. not a recipient with an instant message sessionactive through the instant message routing server 24, the recipientreceives and views the instant message as per instant messageprocedures, block 146. If, on the other hand, at decision block 144, therecipient is a user with an instant message session active through theinstant message routing server 24, the instant message routing server 24receives the instant message, block 148. Then, at block 150, the instantmessage routing server 24 prepares the received instant messageaccording to the predefined protocol and sends the prepared instantmessage to the short message service center 32, where the short messageservice center 32 stores and forwards the instant message to the mobilecarrier 36 according to the predefined wireless protocol, block 152.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, at block 160, the mobile carrier 36 preparesthe instant message received from the short message service center 32for transmission and sends the prepared transmission to the mobile unitdevice 36. If, at decision block 162, the mobile unit device 36successfully receives the prepared transmission of the instant message,the mobile unit device 36 replies to the short message service center 32that the transmission was received, block 164. Then, at block 166, theshort message service center 32 receives the mobile unit device'ssuccessful reply and deletes the stored instant message.

[0035] If, however, at decision block 162, the mobile unit device 36 didnot successfully receive the prepared transmission of the instantmessage and if, at decision block 168, a transmission delivery thresholdhas not been reached, a message is sent to the short message servicecenter 32 that the mobile unit device 36 did not successfully receivethe instant message, block 170. This message of unsuccessful receptionis sent by the mobile carrier 34. When the short message service center32 receives a message of unsuccessful reception, the short messageservice center 32 retrieves the stored instant message that correspondsto the unsuccessfully sent transmission and resends the transmission tothe mobile unit device 36 through the mobile carrier 34, blocks 172 and160.

[0036] Again, at decision block 162, if the mobile unit device 36 didnot successfully receive the prepared transmission of the instantmessage and if, at decision block 168, a transmission delivery thresholdhas been reached, the mobile carrier 34 sends a message to the instantmessage routing server 24 through the short message service center 32that the mobile unit device 36 is not connected or not receiving instantmessages, block 174. When the instant message routing server receives amessage of this type, the instant message routing server 24 signs off orlogs off the instant message session associated with the user of themobile unit device 36 that failed to receive the transmission, block176. The transmission delivery threshold is preferably a predefinednumber of delivery attempts. Once the number of attempts have beenreached or exceeded, the mobile carrier 34 assumes the mobile userdevice 36 is off or out of reception range. It can be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art of cell phonecommunication, that various data delivery methods can be used forinsuring information gets delivered during temporary periods of timewhen the cell phone is out of communication with the mobile carrier.

[0037]FIGS. 8-14 illustrate example user interfaces used for instantmessage name list creation (FIG. 2) and for mobile unit deviceinteraction (FIGS. 3-7). As shown in FIG. 8, a wireless instantmessaging sign on window 200 includes data fields for entry of theuser's screen name 202 and password 204. The user's screen name andpassword are stored in one of the routing server 24 or the instantmessage server 40 as a result of a previously performed registrationprocess. After the correct information is entered in the data fields 202and 204, the user is provided access to various user wireless instantmessaging information, such as user account information and an instantmessage name list interface, as shown in FIG. 9. The wireless instantmessaging sign on window 200 is presented on a traditional system 42that is coupled to the public or private data network 30. Thetraditional system 42 includes previously loaded software received fromeither the instant message routing server 24 or the instant messageserver 40 as a result of the registration process.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 9, an instant message name list window 220 is aninterface that allows users interaction with the stored instant messagename list. Each instant message name in the list corresponds to a phonenumber assigned to the instant message routing server 24. Through window220 the user enters, deletes or reorders instant message names based ona comparison with the address book stored in the user's mobile unitdevice and the user's desired entries. The server 24 or 40 that hoststhe window 220 assigns a phone number to each new instant message nameentered by the user. The phone numbers assigned are selected from a poolof phone numbers specifically assigned for that purpose. After the userhas entered any new instant message names into window 220, the userrequests loading of the newly entered instant message names into theuser's mobile unit device 36. The server 24 or 40 that hosts the window220 then generates an instant message name entry executable program thatis sent through the short message service center 32 and the mobilecarrier 34 to the user's mobile unit device 36. When the user's mobileunit device 36 receives the executable program, the mobile unit device36 executes the instant message name entry program and loads the newlyentered names with corresponding phone numbers into the mobile unitdevice's address book stored in memory.

[0039]FIG. 10 shows a mobile unit device 230 with an example firstaddress book user interface (ui) screen 228. The first address book uiscreen 228 includes the instant message names stored in the first fourlocations in the mobile unit device's address book. The mobile unitdevice 230 includes on-screen and off-screen user interface controlfeatures (e.g. touch screen, cursor control, soft function keys). Twoexamples on-screen user interface control features are a “Select” 232and a “Back” 234 function displayed at the bottom of the address book uiscreen 228. In order for a user to send an instant message, the userselects a create message display screen, enters a text message using themobile unit device's keypad, such as the T9® enabled keypad produced byTegic Communications™, and then selects a recipient (an instant messagename) from the address book ui screen. User activation of the “Select”function allows the user to select a user identified (e.g. highlighted)instant message name in the name list as the recipient of the enteredinstant message. User activation of the “Back” function allows the userto view the previously displayed ui screen.

[0040]FIG. 11 shows an example second ui screen 236 of the address book.The second ui screen 236 shows address book locations occupied by thefollowing instant message functions: update recipient (instant messagename or buddy) availability; delete a recipient; sign off; sign on. Whenthe user selects and sends the update recipient availability (“Buddies”)function with any necessary predefined message content to the instantmessage routing server 24, the instant message routing server 24 checksavailability of recipients (instant message names in the stored instantmessage name list) and sends the results back to the mobile unit device230. FIG. 12 shows the results of an executed recipient update on thedisplay of the mobile unit device 230. In display area 238, recipientsEmma972 and Gomer22 are indicated as being on-line (i.e. signed on theinstant message system). Richard53, tom235 and zebra 98 are indicated asbeing off-line (i.e. signed off the instant message system).

[0041] When the user selects and sends the “Delete” recipient functionwith the recipient's instant message name in the message content to theinstant message routing server 24, the instant message routing server 24deletes the included instant message name from the user's instantmessage name list stored in the database 22. Selection of the “SignOff”function commands the instant message routing server 24 to end theinstant message session associated with the user. Selection of the“SignOn” function commands the instant message routing server 24 toinitiate an instant message session with the instant message server 40according to screen name and password information sent as messagecontent to the instant message routing server 24, see FIG. 13. The“SignOn” function message content can be saved at the mobile unit deviceand reused for subsequent sign on requests. Alternatively, the instantmessage routing server 24 stores the user's instant message screen nameand password and the phone number of the user's mobile unit device 36 toaid with automatic sign on.

[0042]FIG. 14 shows how a received message appears on the mobile unitdevice 230. The message content of the received message is displayedwith the instant message name of the originator of the received message.

[0043] As can be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart, the functions performed by the routing system 22 may be combinedwith the instant message server 40 or the short message service center32. The short message service center 40 may be included in the mobilecarrier infrastructure. Also, the functions of the components of thepresent invention may be distributed to multiple servers across one ormore of the included networks.

[0044] While the presently preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that variouschanges can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enabling a user of a cellularcommunications device to communicate with other users using instantmessages, the method comprising: enabling a user of a cellularcommunications device to receive, at the cellular communications device,availability information for a user-defined group of other users,wherein the other users within the user-defined group are included in aninstant message name list maintained for the user and the availabilityinformation includes an indication of an availability of the other usersto communicate using instant messages; receiving the availabilityinformation at the cellular communications device; and displaying theavailability information in a user interface on the cellularcommunications device.
 2. The method as in claim 1, further comprising:enabling the user to compose a text message at the cellularcommunications device to be sent to at least one of the other users asan instant message; and enabling the user to communicate the textmessage to the one of the other users as the instant message.
 3. Themethod as in claim 2, wherein enabling the user to communicate the textmessage includes enabling the user to communicate the text message tothe one of the other users as the instant message, wherein the one ofthe other users is communicating using another cellular communicationsdevice.
 4. The method as in claim 2, wherein enabling the user tocommunicate the text message includes enabling the user to communicatethe text message to the one of the other users as the instant message,wherein the one of the other users is communicating using a personalcomputer.
 5. The method as in claim 1, further comprising sending a signon function from the cellular communications device to initiate aninstant message session, wherein receiving the availability informationincludes receiving the availability information in response to sendingthe sign on function.
 6. The method as in claim 1, further comprisingsending a check status function from the cellular communications device,wherein receiving the availability information includes receiving theavailability information in response to sending the check statusfunction.
 7. The method as in claim 1, further comprising receiving, atthe cellular communications device, a message that was generated by oneof the other users as an instant message.
 8. A cellular communicationsdevice that is configured and arranged to enable a user to communicatewith other users using instant messages, comprising: an availabilitymodule that is configured and arranged to enable a user of the cellularcommunications device to receive, at the cellular communications device,availability information for a user-defined group of other users,wherein the other users within the user-defined group are included in aninstant message name list maintained for the user and the availabilityinformation includes an indication of an availability of the other usersto communicate using instant messages; a receive module that isconfigured and arranged to receive the availability information at thecellular communications device; and a display module that is configuredand arranged to display the availability information in a user interfaceon the cellular communications device.
 9. The cellular communicationsdevice of claim 8, further comprising: a compose module that isconfigured and arranged to enable the user to compose a text message atthe cellular communications device to be sent to at least one of theother users as an instant message; and a communications module that isconfigured and arranged to enable the user to communicate the textmessage to the one of the other users as the instant message.
 10. Thecellular communications device of claim 9, wherein the communicationsmodule is configured and arranged to enable the user to communicate thetext message to the one of the other users as the instant message,wherein the one of the other users is communicating using anothercellular communications device.
 11. The cellular communications deviceof claim 9, wherein the communications module is configured and arrangedto enable the user to communicate the text message to the one of theother users as the instant message, wherein the one of the other usersis communicating using a personal computer.
 12. The cellularcommunications device of claim 8, further comprising: a sign-on modulethat is configured and arranged to send a sign on function from thecellular communications device to initiate an instant message session,wherein the receive module is configured and arranged to receive theavailability information in response to sending the sign on function.13. The cellular communications device of claim 8, further comprising: acheck status module that is configured and arranged to send a checkstatus function from the cellular communications device, wherein thereceive module is configured and arranged to receive the availabilityinformation in response to sending the check status function.
 14. Thecellular communications device of claim 8, wherein the receive module isconfigured and arranged to receive a message that was generated by oneof the other users as an instant message.
 15. A system for enabling auser of a cellular communications device to communicate with other usersusing instant messages, comprising: means for enabling a user of acellular communications device to receive, at the cellularcommunications device, availability information for a user-defined groupof other users, wherein the other users within the user-defined groupare included in an instant message name list maintained for the user andthe availability information includes an indication of an availabilityof the other users to communicate using instant messages; means forreceiving the availability information at the cellular communicationsdevice; and means for displaying the availability information in a userinterface on the cellular communications device.
 16. A method ofenabling a user of a cellular communications device to communicate withonline identities using instant messages, the method comprising:accessing a group of several online identities that have been identifiedby the user for presence monitoring; in a visual display provided at thecellular communications device, visually distinguishing onlineidentities within the group that are presently available to communicateusing instant messaging from online identities that are not presentlyavailable to communicate using instant messaging; receiving userselection of an identity from among the visually distinguishedidentities; enabling the user to compose a text message to be sent tothe selected identity as an instant message; and communicating the textmessage to the selected identity as the instant message.
 17. The methodas in claim 16, further comprising: receiving, from the online identity,a responsive message that was generated as an instant message; and inthe visual display provided at the cellular communication device of theuser, visually displaying the responsive message received from theonline identity and an indication of the online identity.
 18. The methodas in claim 16, further comprising communicating from the user anindication of online identities to be included within the group ofonline identities for whom presence is to be monitored.
 19. The methodas in claim 18, wherein accessing the group of several online identitiesincludes accessing, at an instant message host, the group of severalonline identities that have been identified by the user for presencemonitoring.
 20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the group accessedfrom the instant message host is used for presence monitoring on othernon-cellular devices.
 21. The method as in claim 16, whereincommunicating the text message includes communicating the text messageto an instant message host for delivery to the selected identity as theinstant message.
 22. A cellular communications device that is configuredand arranged to enable a user of a cellular communications device tocommunicate with online identities using instant messages, comprising:an access module that is configured and arranged to access a group ofseveral online identities that have been identified by the user forpresence monitoring; a display module that is configured and arranged ina visual display provided at the cellular communications device, tovisually distinguish online identities within the group that arepresently available to communicate using instant messaging from onlineidentities that are not presently available to communicate using instantmessaging; a receive module that is configured and arranged to receiveuser selection of an identity from among the visually distinguishedidentities; a compose module that is configured and arranged to enablethe user to compose a text message to be sent to the selected identityas an instant message; and a communication module that is configured andarranged to communicate the text message to the selected identity as theinstant message.
 23. The cellular communications device of claim 22,wherein: the receive module is configured and arranged to receive, fromthe online identity, a responsive message that was generated as aninstant message; and the display module is configured and arranged inthe visual display provided at the cellular communication device of theuser, to visually display the responsive message received from theonline identity and an indication of the online identity.
 24. Thecellular communications device of claim 22, wherein the communicationmodule is configured and arranged to communicate from the user anindication of online identities to be included within the group ofonline identities for whom presence is to be monitored.
 25. The cellularcommunications device of claim 24, wherein the access module isconfigured and arranged to access, at an instant message host, the groupof several online identities that have been identified by the user forpresence monitoring.
 26. The cellular communications device of claim 25,wherein the group accessed from the instant message host is used forpresence monitoring on other non-cellular devices.
 27. The cellularcommunications device of claim 22, wherein the communication module isconfigured and arranged to communicate the text message to an instantmessage host for delivery to the selected identity as the instantmessage.
 28. A system for enabling a user of a cellular communicationsdevice to communicate with online identities using instant messages,comprising: means for accessing a group of several online identitiesthat have been identified by the user for presence monitoring; in avisual display provided at the cellular communications device, means forvisually distinguishing online identities within the group that arepresently available to communicate using instant messaging from onlineidentities that are not presently available to communicate using instantmessaging; means for receiving user selection of an identity from amongthe visually distinguished identities; means for enabling the user tocompose a text message to be sent to the selected identity as an instantmessage; and means for communicating the text message to the selectedidentity as an instant message.
 29. A computer program productimplemented on a computer-based server, said computer program productcomprising: a first component for storing one or more functions orinstant message names, each of the one or more functions or instantmessage names being assigned to an address in a list of addressesassigned to a subscribing user; a second component for receiving aninstant message request with an address, wherein instant message requestbeing received from a cellular device; a third component for identifyingone of the stored instant message names or functions associated with theaddress of the received instant message request; and a fourth componentfor generating an instant message if the address is identified to beassociated with an instant message name.
 30. The computer programproduct of claim 29, further comprising a fifth component for executinga function if the address is associated with a stored function.
 31. Thecomputer program product of claim 30, wherein the fifth component usesinformation included in the instant message request when executing thefunction.
 32. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein thefunction is an instant message function.
 33. The computer programproduct of claim 32, further comprising a fifth component for executingan instant message function if the address is associated with an instantmessage function.